All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me

Chapter 378 - 238 Will You Always Be My Nan Ji?_4

Not to mention that both Ji Nanjue and Dan Wulan are breathtaking beauties. If one could bear to resist them, wouldn’t that make him a eunuch!?

Ji Nanjue’s brush touched the paper as she wrote and spoke softly,

"I need to go to another place."

"There are still some matters that need to be dealt with."

"In three days, at Dongting Stream, I will wait for you."

"..."

The Immortal Fate Grass had not been plucked yet, and she subtly sensed a terrifying conspiracy targeting the entirety of Dongfeng Ancient Country. If Dongfeng Ancient Country were left without her at the helm, the consequences would be unimaginable. Thoughts raced through her mind as a trace of deep contemplation flashed through her eyes. The Emperors of the two great empires had never attended the opening ceremony of the Sacred Land. Why then did the South Emperor insist on inviting her to attend the ceremony this time? A coincidence? Or perhaps— At this thought, her back involuntarily broke out in a cold sweat. All of this, upon careful thought, was extremely frightening. Since it was so, she should indeed visit South Wind Ancient Country herself, not just because of the Evil Qi, but also to confirm the suspicions in her heart.

"Mhm," Su Bei nodded in agreement.

He too had sneaked out and needed to return to the Sacred Land to symbolically stay for a couple of days. This time, there was not only the Evil Qi from the Southern Border but also Li Zijun from Empty Cicada Lake...

While Ji Nanjue was pondering all this, the somewhat distracted Su Bei became increasingly bold in his actions, and then his hands went on to touch—

Ji Nanjue’s train of thought was abruptly pulled back to the boat cabin. The Eastern Emperor, who bore the world in his heart, had vanished, leaving only the blushing Nan Ji.

Su Bei leaned close to her ear and whispered something. She hesitated for a moment, wanting to refuse, but she was unable to. She placed the writing brush and paper into the storage ring and then lay down on the table.

"This is just a precaution..."

"What if the injuries recur on the way?"

"..."

Ji Nanjue consoled herself. She accommodated his wishes, unaware that this... would outline her figure even more enchantingly.

Su Bei lifted the clothes draped over her, from around her knees to her waist. A pair of jade legs wrapped in black silk appeared perfectly flawless. They shimmered with a faint luster, and the occasional snag only added to their charm.

Ji Nanjue clenched her eyes shut tightly, feeling nervous. She kept her legs pressed tightly together, straight, as she waited for him to remove the Ice Worm silk garment that was neither trousers nor stockings.

—She waited for a long time, but he didn’t do it.

Confused, she opened her eyes, intending to look back at him. However, the next moment, she heard the sound of something ripping.

RRRIP—

"You..."

Ji Nanjue felt an indescribable embarrassment. The midday sun was dazzling, so she simply closed her eyes and let him be. The garment Su Bei had draped over her fell to her ankles.

RUSTLE, RUSTLE—

...

「Luodu, Imperial City.」

「The grand hall.」

The atmosphere today was particularly heavy and unsettling. At the most prominent position in the great hall, a gold-embroidered purple sandalwood dragon-phoenix throne was placed.

A woman sat upon it. She was no longer dressed in bright red ceremonial robes but in a thin, black inner dress as light as cicada wings, covered by a black and gold phoenix robe embroidered with golden dragons, paired with matching embroidered shoes. A red silk sash was tied around her waist, and her hair was arranged in a high coiffure, adorned with a gilded dangling hairpin. The embroidery on her black attire was starkly distinct. Today, a light dusting of powder on her face made her complexion appear even more snow-white. Her well-defined eyebrows swept towards her temples, and her deep, serene eyes exuded an authority that required no anger to be felt.

The woman was none other than the Empress of Dongfeng Ancient Country, Lin Jinyu.

Below Lin Jinyu, on both sides, numerous court ladies stood in silent attendance. Lin Jinyu, seated on her throne, lifted her head to gaze at the ceiling, seemingly waiting for the women below.

The court lady closest to Lin Jinyu began to speak, "The envoys from South Wind Ancient Country have arrived unexpectedly, and just when the Emperor has vanished without reason... This is clearly a long-planned conspiracy!"

"Hua Province has always been one of Dongfeng’s ten provinces. Why would he demand it at such a critical juncture?"

The hall fell silent.

Lin Jinyu continued to gaze upward.

After a moment of silence, the court lady spoke again, "If the Emperor could return, all would be well... but one fears he might not."

A court lady beside her snorted softly, saying pensively, "Isn’t the South Emperor afraid that the fish might be too big, snap the line, and drag the fisherman into the water as well?"

Lin Jinyu finally lowered her head slowly, her fair palm pressing on the armrest of the dragon-phoenix throne, as she looked at that court lady. "The Eastern Emperor has not met with disaster. Whether he can swallow Hua Province will depend on his appetite. However, if the Eastern Emperor’s sudden disappearance is spread and incited by those with ulterior motives..."

She paused, then continued, "During the several hundred years of the Emperor’s reign, he has accomplished much, yet he has also covertly offended countless noble families. Furthermore, there are still lingering complaints throughout the land regarding the Cang River dike incident from centuries ago."

"The Prince of Zhenbei’s close association with Multi-Bao Pavilion in Sea City has long been an open secret. Moreover, the realm isn’t limited to just this Northern Sea Prince. All three border princes have the backing of Great Sects—Wuhua Palace, Cang Sect..."

Lin Jinyu’s voice was soft, but in the silent room, it was exceptionally clear.

All the court ladies bowed their heads in silence.

Empress Lin, clasping her hands behind her back, stood up and said, each word deliberate, "Who is the envoy from South Wind Ancient Country this time?"

That court lady lifted her head again, looking at Lin Jinyu as she replied, "The State Preceptor of South Wind Ancient Country, daughter of the Confucian Sage."

"Li Zijun."

A flicker of confusion passed through Lin Jinyu’s eyes.

...

「In the inn where the envoys from South Wind Ancient Country were staying in Dongfeng Ancient Country.」

A maidservant dressed in a traditional blouse and long skirt emerged from the corridor. Lifting her gaze, she followed the flight of a kingfisher as it soared into the blue sky, eventually vanishing beyond the horizon. A faint smile played upon her lips. She then carefully stepped into the courtyard before her.

Stopping at the steps, she asked softly, "Miss Zijun, are you awake?"

"I am. Come in."

CREAK—

The maidservant opened the door, and a delicate, refreshing fragrance wafted towards her—rich yet not cloying. It seemed to fill her senses, bringing a profound sense of tranquility to body and soul.

She quietly adjusted her attire, brushed her sleeves, and composed herself. Then, gently removing her wooden clogs, she stepped inside.

Walking over the dark orchid-colored reed mat and around a four-panel plum blossom screen, the maidservant knelt gracefully before a sandalwood screen. Her eyes rested upon the lady within, whose raven hair was being slowly combed and styled. A soft smile graced the lady’s cheeks, as gentle and refined as her entire demeanor.

"Duo’er? Have you delivered the formal invitation?"

The girl called Duo’er took a deep breath, looked at the lady before her, and replied, "It has been delivered!"

Li Zijun smiled gently. Gazing at the raindrops falling from the eaves outside, she murmured, "What fragrant rain..."